Easy Origami

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A collection of 32 projects for novice origami hobbyists, clearly illustrated with easy-to-follow instructions that even beginning papercrafters can follow with successful results. Subjects range from an ultra-simple hat, cup and pinwheel to the more challenging figures of a penguin and a piano.

Synopsis:

Here is a collection of 32 simple projects for novice origami hobbyists &#8212; clearly illustrated and with easy-to-follow instructions that even beginning papercrafters can follow with success. Subjects range from an ultra-simple hat, cup, and pinwheel to the more challenging (but still unintimidating) penguin, pelican, and piano.

Also included are the figures of a swan, lantern, cicada, pigeon, fox, rabbit, and other popular origami subjects. With the successful completion of these projects, origami hobbyists will be well on their way to mastering a fascinating art that's as old as the invention of paper itself.

About the Author

Internationally renowned author John Montroll has significantly increased the origami repertoire with his original designs. Best known as the inspiration behind the single-square, no-cuts, no-glue approach, the American origami master offers readers meticulously developed folding sequences that allow them to create better models with fewer steps.

5 Questions with John Montroll: An Exclusive Dover Interview

We sat down with Mr. Montroll to discuss his influences, the impact of math on origami, and what he sees for the future of the artform.

How did you first get interested in origami and what were your influences?

I was four when a Japanese neighbor taught me origami. At six, I had some books, showing the Japanese style.

Where do you find the inspiration for your original models?

The models in the books were made by folding, cutting, using multiple sheets, and sometimes from non-square paper. I wanted to make origami where each model could be folded from a single uncut square so I had to make them up. Since I started as a child, "creating" was natural. Whatever I wanted to fold, I would make up. There was nothing great about my models, but I enjoyed exploring and found there was no end. In time, my work evolved as I discovered more techniques, and also philosophies, in the quality of origami. Now I can say that developing new, theme-related ideas and writing books gives me inspiration.

Do you think that there is a strong relationship between origami and mathematics?

Yes. There is much math &#8212; geometry, algebra, trigonometry, etc. &#8212; in the structure of folding which can be used to develop and control the folding methods and designs. Math is especially used in my Dover books Origami and Math and Classic Polyhedra Origami. Still, math is not essential and there are many aspects of origami that do not use math. Even if math was used in the design of a model, the folder need not understand it.

As a teacher, do you integrate origami into your lesson plans?

As a math teacher, I can say students love doing origami! Sometimes, if my students finish their class work early, I let them fold from my books. Or we have some days, such as before vacations, where we do origami. But I will admit that I do not use origami as part of the math lesson!

What new directions do you think the art of origami will be taking in the future?

In the past few decades, origami has made huge developments in many directions. More people are involved, more ideas have been explored, all with more styles and techniques. The future will reveal newer directions for more people to explore and find their particular interest.

Bonus Question!

Do you have a favorite Dover book?

I actually have two favorites, both by Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas, Volume I and Complete Piano Sonatas, Volume. II. I enjoy playing his work and these books are well tattered!

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 1 comment:

trilingual_bookworm, May 14, 2007 (view all comments by trilingual_bookworm)
I got this book as a Christmas present, and it's one of the best presents I have ever gotten in my life!! Starting with small, simple origami figures from this book stimulated me to move on to bigger and bigger things and also taught me patience and perserverance.

Here is a collection of 32 simple projects for novice origami hobbyists &#8212; clearly illustrated and with easy-to-follow instructions that even beginning papercrafters can follow with success. Subjects range from an ultra-simple hat, cup, and pinwheel to the more challenging (but still unintimidating) penguin, pelican, and piano.

Also included are the figures of a swan, lantern, cicada, pigeon, fox, rabbit, and other popular origami subjects. With the successful completion of these projects, origami hobbyists will be well on their way to mastering a fascinating art that's as old as the invention of paper itself.

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